Kisumu literally means a place of barter trade "sumo". The city has "Friendship" status with Cheltenham, UK and "Sister City" status with Roanoke, Virginia, USA. Attractions in the city include Kibuye Market, the Kisumu Museum, an impala sanctuary, a bird sanctuary, Hippo Point, and the nearby Kit Mikaye and Ndere Island National Park. Kisumu Museum Kisumu Museum, established in 1980, has a series of outdoor pavilions. Some of the pavilions contain live animals.
For example, one pavilion contains numerous aquaria with a wide variety of fish from Lake Victoria, along with explanatory posters. Another pavilion contains terrarium containing mambas, spitting cobras, puff adders and other venomous Kenyan snakes. Additionally, out of doors, the museum has a few additional exhibits, including a snake pit and a crocodile container.
Other pavilions show weaponry, jewellery, farm tools and other artifacts made by the various peoples of the Nyanza Province. Additionally, there are exhibits of stuffed animals, birds and fish. One pavilion houses the prehistoric TARA rock art, which was removed for its own protection to the museum after it was defaced by graffiti in its original location. The museum''s most important and largest exhibition is the UNESCO-sponsored Ber-gi-dala. This is a full-scale recreation of a traditional Luo homestead.
Ber-gi-dala consists of the home, granaries and livestock corrals of an imaginary Luo man as well as the homes of each of his three wives, and his eldest son. Through signs and taped programs in both Luo and English, the exhibition also explains the origins of the Luo people, their migration to western Kenya, traditional healing plants, and the process of establishing a new home. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary Kisumu Impala SanctuaryKisumu is location of the Kisumu Impala Sanctuary.
Measuring just 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), the sanctuary is one of Kenya''s smallest wildlife preserves. As its name suggests, it is home to a herd of impala. Some hippos, as well as many reptiles and birds are also present. Additionally, several caged baboons and leopards who faced difficulties of one sort or the other in the wild are held in cages there. Hippo Point Hippo Point is a 600-acre (240 ha) viewing area on Lake Victoria.
Despite its name, it is better known as a viewing point for its unobstructed sunsets over the lake than for its occasional hippos. Hippo point is near the village of Dunga, a few kilometres SW of the town. The village also has a fishing port and a camping site. Kit Mikayi Kit Mikayi, a large rock with three rocks on top, and is located off Kisumu Bondo Road towards Bondo. It is a weeping rock; it is believed that Mikayi (which means, literally, "the first wife") went up the hill to the stones when her husband took a second wife, and has been weeping ever since.
The Kisumu Bird Sanctuary The Kisumu Bird Sanctuary, 8km southeast of town, covers a large area of swampland and is an important breeding ground for herons, storks, cormorants and egrets. The best time to visit is in April or May. Transport is easy along the A1, but you will have a 3km walk from the turn-off. Visitor fees may be implemented in the near future. Kisumu Yacht Club Sitting on the lake''s edge, just past the Impala Sanctuary on the Dunga road, is this fine choice with a lovely patio and teak furnishings.
The menu ranges from delicately stuffed fish to Indian selections such as chicken biryani, butter chicken and palak paneer. A temporary membership is necessary to indulge. Hippo Point Hippo Point is a 600-acre viewing area on Lake Victoria. Despite its name, it is better known as a viewing point for its unobstructed sunsets over the lake than for its occasional hippos. The point is near the village of Dunga, a few kilometres southwest of the town.
The village also has a fishing port and a camping site. Ndere Island National Park Ndere Island National Park is a forested, beautiful housing of a variety of bird species, hippos, impala, and crocodiles. Chartered passenger boats can be taken to get there—keep an eye out for hippos on your way!
One of the best times to visit Kenya is from July to September, during the country's dry season, which also coincides with the Great Migration of wildebeest and zebra. The rainy seasons are also good times to travel, as there are fewer visitors and you can admire the striking emerald vegetation.
Wildlife Safari, Witness the Wildebeest Migration, Relax on the East African Coast, Cultural Travel on the Island of Lamu, Climb Mount Kenya, Hike Through Hell's Gate, River Raft the Tana River, Hang Out on Lake Victoria, Explore Nairobi, Eat Nyama Choma, Orphaned Elephants, Hippo Point, Mamba Village
Hello, and welcome! if you have any questions just let me know and we will get back to you ASAP. (Be sure and share your email address just in case we don't get back before you leave our site.)
Diwaka Safaris works with your wish list, or offers obligation-free advice, on personally-curated safaris to fit your schedule, budget and desires.
Find Out MoreWe offer unique safaris in East Africa. Our team of proven professionals offer Family Holidays, Cultural Safaris, Eco Safaris, Bird watching Safaris, Beach Holidays, Honeymoon Holidays, Mountain Climbing and Trekking safaris,Camping safaris, photographic Safaris Groups and incentive tour packages, Car hire, Balloon safaris with a personal touch to meet the needs of each of our esteemed customer.
Vladimír Staňura – USA
We wanted to do safari with my wife in Kenya. Diwaka Safaris organized our trip for 17 days professionally. We were very satisfied with all services. The best part was our guide Patrick Waweru who did an excellent job.
josefkingley – USA
Decided to do one a early Jan before the corona nightmare...wasnt decided on the exact itinerary especially the accommodation to choose...did my own research and decided on the ones I could get though decided they can also advice on what they had in mind so that we could compare prices as well as I could get to check on their diff reviews...was a 4 nights trip just Naivasha where we stayed at Naivasha Sopa and Mara at Ashnil..loved ashnil way better cos of the views as well what we got to see the in terms of wildlife..